If you're drinking Matcha on a daily basis you are most likely aware of the multiple health benefits that this unique Japanese green tea powder has on our physical and mental wellbeing.
It is truly an Elixir of longevity with immune-boosting, energy-enhancing, stress reducing and cholesterol-lowering properties. And these are only a few.
Here is a list of some health benefits that Matcha green tea has to offer:
Anti Ageing Properties
Our body is constantly coping with stress coming from our environment, foods we eat, sun exposure and natural wear and tear. These stresses produce free radicals which are known to damage healthy cells by depleting them of oxygen and breaking down the levels of collagen – which is essential in keeping our tissue healthy and young.
Powerful antioxidants known as Cathechins (EGCG) found in Matcha Green Tea have the ability to fight free radicals and promote cell regeneration from the inside out.
A curious fact: one of the places in the World where people live the longest is Okinawa, Japan. The Okinawan people’s longevity has been partly attributed to regular consumption of Matcha Green Tea and low level of stress thanks to their healthy lifestyle.
Promotes Detoxification
Thanks to its unique way of being grown, Matcha contains very high levels of Chlorophyll. In fact the plants are covered with a thick net during the last 3 weeks prior to the harvest in order to force the plant to drastically increase its own production of Chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. This process not only boosts the levels of Chlorophyll in the leaves but also gives a more mellow taste to the tea.
Chlorophyll helps our body to get rid of stored toxins, heavy metals, poisons and hormone disrupters. It is the pigment that gives the leaves their green colour. A vivid and bright green in Matcha (opposed to more dull/yellowish grades) translates not only in better quality and taste, but also in higher amount of Chlorophyll, L-Theainine and guaranteed freshness of the product.
Boosts Metabolism
A 2005 study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that Matcha tea, being rich in Catechins EGCG, has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by the tea’s caffeine content. It was found that consuming Matcha tea increased thermogenesis (the body’s rate of burning calories) from 8-10% to 35-43% of daily energy expenditure.
EGCG has been shown in some lab studies to boost metabolism, and other research has shown that EGCG may help stop the growth of new fat cells. Both studies suggest that Matcha green tea can enhance both resting metabolic rate and fat burning.
Consumption of Matcha has also an impact on your appetite. It increases the production of CCK, a hormone naturally released in our intestine that tells the brain when there’s enough food for the body.
Increases Energy Levels
Matcha is a perfect choice when in need of a sustained boost of energy, courtesy of the caffeine present in it. Matcha’s caffeine content has a very different impact on our body compared to caffeine contained in coffee and other energy drinks.
In fact caffeine in Matcha is alkalizing rather than acidic, and it works in synergy with a rare amino acid known as L-Theanine ( found exclusively in the tea plant) resulting in a long and slow release of energy into our system over a 4 to 6 hours period, avoiding that jittery effect and crash that caffeine in coffee causes.
It also doesn’t have any impact on our adrenal glands, which can cause some serious harm over long periods of time.
Improves Memory and Concentration
Another intersting ability of L-Theanine is promoting the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals serve to enhance mood, improve memory, and promote better concentration.
Enhances Creativity
Matcha Green Tea contains very high amounts of L-Theanine, a rare amino-acid found exclusively in the tea plant which has the ability of promoting alpha wave activity in the brain.
Alpha waves are normally created in the brain during wakeful states that are characterized by a relaxed and effortless alertness (such as meditation or light aerobic exercises).
Science has proven that Alpha Waves can also stimulate creativity and minimise depression.
Fortifies Immune System
The catechins in Matcha Green Tea have been shown to have antibiotic properties which promote overall health. By protecting our body against the damage from free radicals and similar compounds, Matcha helps keeping the immune system running normally. Healthy immune systems are better at handling infections from bacteria, parasites and viruses. Additionally, just one bowl of Matcha Green Tea provides substantial quantities of Potassium, Vitamins A & C, Iron, Protein, and Calcium.
Fights Cancer
Green tea catechins have been extensively studied for their cancer preventive effects. Accumulating evidence has shown that green tea Catechins (EGCG) have strong anti-oxidant activity and affect several signal transduction pathways relevant to cancer development. EGCG has also been shown to kill many different types of cancer cells in laboratory conditions.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol (LDL)
Matcha has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL). It also reduces hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level) and cholesterol with diabetes.
Tastes Delicious
Lastly, a great news for those who are wondering how Matcha tastes like is that true high quality Japanese Matcha has a very complex and pleasant taste even when drank on its own.
For those who had not so pleasant experiences with Matcha, we feel the urge to mention that the quality of the powder has an enormous impact on the taste of the beverage. Low grades, although can be very useful for cooking purposes when a more robust and bitter flavour is needed, if drank as a tea can be very astringent and unpleasant to the palette.
So opting for a good Ceremonial grade can be a game changer. As we specialise in sourcing only the finest Japanese Matcha Green Tea you can browse through our large rage of grades and pick the one that suits you best. Here is our Online Shop.